The Dam Busters (1955)

True story of how the British attacked German dams in WW2 by using an ingenious technique to drop bombs where they would be most effective.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Paul Brickhill (book), Guy Gibson (based on Wing Comdr. Gibson's own account in "Enemy Coast Ahead"),

Stars:

Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, Charles Carson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Redgrave	...	Doctor B. N. Wallis, C.B.E., F.R.S.
Ursula Jeans	...	Mrs. Wallis
Charles Carson	...	Doctor
Stanley Van Beers	...	Sir David Pye, C.B., F.R.S.
Colin Tapley	...	Doctor W. H. Glanville, C.B., C.B.E.
Frederick Leister	...	Committee Member
Eric Messiter	...	Committee Member
Laidman Browne	...	Committee Member
Raymond Huntley	...	Official, National Physical Laboratory
Hugh Manning	...	Official, Ministry of Aircraft Production
Patrick Barr	...	Captain Joseph (Mutt) Summers, C.B.E.
Edwin Styles	...	Observer at Trials
Hugh Moxey	...	Observer at Trials
Anthony Shaw	...	R.A.F. Officer at Trials
Basil Sydney	...	Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris (now Marshal of the Royal Air Force) G.C.B., O.B.E., A.F.C.

Storyline

The British are desperate to shorten the length of WW2 and propose a daring raid to smash Germany's industrial heart. At first the objective looks impossible until a British scientist invents an ingenious weapon capable of destroying the planned target.

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Plot Keywords:

bomb | flood | bomber | dam | scientist | 

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Taglines:

The story of the "bombs that had to bounce" - and the air-devils who had to drop 'em!

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les briseurs de barrages

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Footage used to show the bombs as they skipped on the surface of the water towards the dams was drawn from footage of the bombs being tested. The backspin placed on the bombs, which was secret at the time, gave them gyroscopic stability when skipping across the water, then held them against the dams as they sank. To conceal the backspin, the bombs in the footage were painted over frame by frame.

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Goofs

After the first failure of the full size test bomb, Guy Gibson, Bob Hay and Barnes Wallis are saying goodbye to each other. Bob Hay's mouth moves but what he says to Barnes Wallis is not heard. (at around 25 mins)

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Quotes

Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC: Enemy coast ahead.

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Connections

Spoofed in Chicken Run (2000)

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Soundtracks

"The Dam Busters"
March
by Eric Coates

User Reviews

Very well made film.

A very well made film, with a good script, actors and supporting cast. The film recreates the technical problems of the bombs development and squadron training. However, being made so soon after the raid the film ignores the relative lack of impact of the raid on German war production. However, the bravery of the air crews is very well portrayed. Guy Gibson, who was killed later in the war, won a Victoria Cross for his part in the raid and his leadership.